To do great writing, read great reading. Here’s some great writing I’ve been reading this week:
More Roger Ebert – Chris Jones’ profile of film critic Roger Ebert in the latest Esquire has created something of an Ebert frenzy. First, Deadspin’s Will Leitch came out with My Roger Ebert Story, an apologia for a hack job on Ebert that Leitch did earlier in his career, despite the fact that Ebert had once been his mentor (Ebert forgave him via Twitter). With interest in Ebert picking up, Esquire re-published what Ebert calls the best profile he ever did for the magazine, an interview with actor Lee Marvin that’s as insightful as it is profane and has to be read to be believed. You don’t run into quote machines like Marvin very often, and when Ebert did he was smart enough to turn on his tape recorder and stay the hell out of the way.
My guilty pleasure – I’m a late convert to Project Runway. Never watched it until it landed on Lifetime. Now I’m hooked. I’m also hooked on Brian Moylan’s snarky morning-after recaps on Defamer, Gawker’s Hollywood blog. It’s not the New York Times – and it’s definitely NSFW.* But it is spot-on, and hilarious. I can’t wait to read what he says about Jay’s trash bag leather ensemble.
Speaking of quote machines – I’ll leave you with this quote from the prolific Stephen King: “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.” If you only know King from his Gothic fiction, check out On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Part autobiography, part writing primer, it offers a glimpse inside the head – and the writing process – of one of America’s bestselling authors, regardless of genre.
*Not suitable for work
i always watch Project Runway because i am fascinated with the lovely dresses that they make ::